Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren in the upcoming season. He secured the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ title by surpassing Max Verstappen, finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch the championship by two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris confirmed his switch from his iconic number four to the number one for the 2026 campaign, citing tradition and the opportunity for the entire McLaren team to take pride in the achievement. Verstappen, who previously used the number 33 on his Red Bull, may consider returning to that number or opt for the number three, which was last seen with Daniel Ricciardo, pending special permission due to FIA regulations.
While many champions embrace the number one to celebrate their victories, Lewis Hamilton, with seven titles, has consistently stuck with his number 44 to maintain his personal brand identity, similar to Norris.
Norris’ title win not only ended Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign but also marked the conclusion of a 5,505-day period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes. Jenson Button was the last driver before Norris to win the championship without representing those teams, achieving the feat with Brawn GP in 2009.
Having raced exclusively for McLaren throughout his F1 career, Norris expressed his longstanding desire to win the championship with the team. He holds the distinction of being the only F1 driver to secure their first title after completing over 150 races with the same team.
Formula 1 fans can now enjoy live coverage of every practice, qualifying, and race through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering significant savings and access to over 100 TV channels, as well as complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.